Postal trucks once again causing safety issues in Lincoln Park, according to alderman

CHICAGO (WLS) -- After the I-Team first reported in October on lines of postal trucks blocking stop signs, bike lanes, and obscuring vision for pedestrians and drivers in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the postal vehicles were moved into a nearby parking garage. Now, they are back on the street again, creating the exact same safety hazard.

Since July of this year, the I-Team has been documenting postal vehicles illegally parked near the Lincoln Park Annex. Trucks blocked bike lanes, stop signs and reduced visibility for drivers and pedestrians near two area schools.

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When we asked federal lawmakers about the issue, we were told the U.S. Postal Service signed a parking lease with a nearby garage. After our reporting, Lincoln Park Alderman Timmy Knudsen says many of the vehicles were moved.

"I think after that big push in July there was a real improvement," said 43rd Ward Ald. Knudsen. "But it's cautious improvement, because within the last week, we have heard that there has been an uptick in postal vehicles parking on Clark, just like they were in the past."

The vehicles are back. The I-Team found truck after truck illegally parked on snowy streets on Monday, and on two separate days in the past week, even after securing a lease at a nearby parking garage and transitioning to smaller vehicles that can fit in it.

"My guess, from what we've seen and from walking the area, is that with the weather and the snow we've had, some drivers are parking closer to the building because it is much more convenient," Knudsen said.

Knudsen told the I-Team his office has gone straight to the Postal Service in Washington, D.C. to try to tackle the problem but has not heard back in a week.

The issue is causing compounding aggravation for commuters.

We spoke to Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents Lincoln Park, about the issue in September. He told the I-Team Chicago police are legally powerless to ticket postal vehicles.

"Strangely enough, frustratingly enough, only the post office police force could do this right. And obviously, that wasn't going to happen," Quigley said. "Talk about frustration, the inability of the federal government to coordinate... There was almost nothing we could do besides embarrass them."

Knudsen says he is hopeful with additional attention this will be resolved quickly. We reached out the U.S. Postal Service for comment. The I-Team has not heard back.